Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-21

be advantageous both for freight and passenger
accommodation.
STREET CAR LINES.
The greater part OF Washington is fairly we'll
equipped with street-car service, the main de-
fects OF which pertain rather to the system than
the administration; but examination OF the map
accompanying this report Indicates that there are
considerable areas without adequate provision.
The northeast, for example, has but one line, viz:
tue intersection OF Boundary and 18th streets east
The southeast has two lines: one on Pennsylvania
avenue ana Sth street east the other on N street
nue. and west OF 14th street, there is but line,
that on Connecticut avenue and P street, but the
vacant spaces are apparently well supplied with
outside the city the District is but scantily
served, line out 9TH street and one out 14th
street constituting the total.
There can be no doubt that both the northeast
and southeast would be benefited by additional
accommodations, especially the former A line out
Maryland avenue from the Capitol to the intersec-
ton OF the Bladensburg and Bennings roads with
18th and streets, would certainly be desirable;
while there does not appear to be any objection
10 lines on Delaware avenue (when the Bal
timore and Ohio tracks are removed, and MasSa-
chusetts avenue from New jersey avenue to Lin
coin Square. In view OF the construction OF the
Eastern Branch Bridge on the prolOngaton OF Penn
sylvanfa avenue an extension In this direction
the east 18th st. line down to the Anacosta Bridge
also suggests itself, and a service out New York
avenue from Mount Vernon Square TO Boundary
In this matter OF opening new routes, however,
the commissioners would prefer to let the demand
precede tine suggestion, and that the Initiative be
taken by those who propose to invest In the I'M
dertaking, supported by the petition Of owners
| and residents TO Ne benefited thereby.
SO far as the county is concerned there can be
no doubt that occupation and DEVELOPMENT fol-
low lines OF transportation, and that the esJab-
lishment OF these promotes settlement, creates
population and enhances values. II privileges OF
this sort be extended, however, 1t will be needful
TO guard against injury to the use OF the public
roads, which now constitute so great an attrac-
| ton and source OF enjoyment in the District
| To occupy these rOad-beds with lines OF rails
and streetcars will greatly impair their value for
freight and pleasure purposes, and safe rule in
most cases, perhaps, would be to require the pro-
tecttng company to procure It's own right OF way.
In this connection It may be proper to suggest
that railway franchises involving the use OF pub
lie streets are valuable acquisitions, and in other
| cities requirement has been made that certain
to oenes Of the
The District does not at the present time par
ticipate In the pr0ts OF any OF the transportation
companies doing business in the city, and an In
| direct and modest endeavor to do SO by charging a
license fee for each car in use Is resisted by the
companies In the courts. as the books OF the
assessor snow.
| AS to the suggestion OF change In the motive
power to be used, there is little cause for hesita-
| uon The defects OF street-car TRANSFORMATION
| are numerous, and some of them irremediable
The speed is. Of course. much below the limit
1
pings contribute larger proportion to the Ofen-
sive littertng Of the streets and the expense OF
| cleaning them than any other one cause. The
| smooth and noiseless surface OF the asphalt is
| broken by the cobbles with which the companies
insist upon paving their tracks, and the quiet of
the street Is impaired by the CHATTER OF the
| hOofs. The horse himself is subjected to severe
strains, and, although worked no more than four
hours In twenty-four Is worn out In from three TO
For all these reasons a change Of motive power
is desirable, and there is no reason to doubt, from
which, in respect both Of effectiveness and eco
nomical operation, are prepared TO relieve the car
horse from his uncongenial and destructive en-
ployment Under conditions where horse
power is inadequate-such as hilly districts and
upon lines where the volume OF receipts war
ran!ed large &c, expenditure Ior plant the
although 1t has defects incapable OF amendment;
for example, the expenditure OF nearly rs per
cent Of the power TO move the cable Alone and the
fact that break in the cable or a failure OF the
driving machinery stops all traffic Compressed
ar has been frequently tred, put not with uiti;
other motive powers have proved abortive. Elec-
tricity Is naturally looked 70 as the final resources
the financial showing under ordinary cir,
cumstances, has, until recently been unfavOrable
II is believed now, however. that such advances
agent as TO warrant the belief that 1t Is prepared
TO take the place, economically, OF other motors
question as to the advantages OF its adoption.
There need be caution however. In authorizing the
special moanR
An ELECIRlCAL CONDUCTOR
Of high potential should not be allowed above the
surface along the line unless In isolated districta
where NO harm could ensue. There need be no
practical diflculty in the use OF the same track
by horsea cable or electricity, except when third
rain u used TO carry high electric current,
which should not DO permitted With reference 70
the proper form OF rail attention b invited to the
report Of Capt Grimm. The only rail that should
be permitted TO be laid hereafter in the streets Of
Washington Y some approved form OF grooved
rail, with longitudinal g1rdor, s0lldly embodded
and this proposition u as much In the Interest OF
| the companyB excheQuer - for the safety Of We
| hicles and the public and the protection OF the
| streets from barbar0us inniction
In conclusion the Commissioners beg to assure
the Senate committee Of their sincere deedre ID
DO an in their power 70 AID the COMMITTEES in is
Investigation, tho results Of which are frauoht
with great possibilities OF good to the commun{cy
and that any further Information IN their posses
sion. or ACCESSIBLE 70 them, win be gladly pro.
cured and furnished w. B. WE1R
| g. r WHRAfLIY.
WM LUDLOW,
| Commissioner
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